ONE
I run my fingers through my long, straight hair. I am all ready.
My name is Violet. Violet De Cruz. Sounds weird but I can't do anything. I am 16 this year and I am going to a new school since we just moved.
I strongly disagreed to moving but I can't do anything either. I never get the say. Actually, I never got the say ever since Dad agreed to my major request when I was 13. Since then, Mum practically stripped me of the right to decide in this family.
"Clock's ticking!" A voice shouts from downstairs.
"Alright!" I shout back, annoyed.
Mum stares at me when I get to the kitchen. I stop walking.
"What?" I demand.
Mum eyes me, top to bottom. "I told you to wear the dress."
"That dress? No way am I wearing that on my first day." I shake my head. "First impressions, you know."
"Violet---" Mum starts.
"Come on," Dad shoots Mum a look while grabbing his bag. "Don't make them late on their first day."
***
As Mum locks up the front door and Dad starts up the car in the garage, I stare out of our front gate.
"Aren't you excited?" Vanessa beams at me.
The loud engine of the motorcycle that just stopped in front of our gate turns my attention away from my litter sister. I narrow my eyes at the figure on the vehicle. The cyclist removes his helmet.
"Robert!" I gasp in delight.
He grins. "You know how long the journey took me?"
"Don't tell me," I shake my head in disbelief. "You came all the way from Escondido?"
"Yep. Just to send my buddy on her first day."
"Well..." I turn to look at Mum. She's glaring at me with daggers in her eyes. I think it's true that eyes can kill, or maybe just my mother's eyes can.
I hesitate. What's there to lose? Okay, maybe I'll lose the good side of me in her impression, but I've lost that quite some time ago. I throw my bag over my shoulders, grab a helmet from Robert, and jump---landing myself right behind him.
Robert speeds off before Mum can scream.
I put on my helmet and hug Robert's waist. "Thank you, buddy."
Somehow, I know he grinned.
***
Robert screeches to a stop in front of my school gate. All eyes are on us. Has any student arrived in school like that before? I doubt so.
"Cool place." Robert breathes.
I raise an eyebrow. I would rather go back to my old school, with all my friends and Robert.
A few girls walk past the motorcycle as I get off and they wave at Robert. Robert smirks and winks at me. "Bye, buddy. Mel's been planning to visit soon, so I'll see ya in no time."
I shrug. "Guess so."
I can't bear to leave Rob, but I have to. The only people I can blame is...Dad? Mum? They made us move anyway.
As I stroll into the school lobby, searching for the principal's office, the 'sticky eyes' are still not leaving me.
"Look at her hair!" I hear someone whisper.
"Cool."
I spot it. The principal's office. Right. First impressions. I push back my hair and sling my bag properly before knocking on the door twice.
"Come in." A sharp yet cool voice says.
I walk in.
A middle aged lady with jet black hair tied into a neat bun looks up from a stack of papers. She removes her reading glasses.
"Good morning, Mrs Benson." I greet.
"Morning," she replies as she flips through a file. "Violet? Take a seat."
When I sit down, Mrs Benson eyes me in a friendly way.
"Okay," Mrs Benson smiles. "You're in Grade 11, homeroom 2. You'll get your timetable later."
I nod politely.
Mrs Benson's eyes widen suddenly. "Oh yes, your parents told me about your hair..."
"Is there a school rule against it?" I ask.
"Well..." Mrs Benson bites her lip. "Not really. But from what I know, only around two or three seniors in this school have dyed hair."
I shrug. I think I shouldn't have done that. "I have to keep my hair colour."
Mrs Benson sighs. I seem to see a look in her eyes that she expects me to appear in her office anytime soon, most probably out of trouble.
"You may go to your homeroom now then." Mrs Benson says suddenly.
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